Professional drain cleaning can prevent clogs, reduce unpleasant odors, and protect plumbing systems from costly backups. But the key question—how often to schedule it—doesn’t have one universal answer. Instead, frequency should be based on risk factors such as how much your household uses drains, whether you have older plumbing, and how your system behaves over time.

For many homeowners, the best approach is “as needed” rather than “every X months,” with periodic professional service timed to the condition of the pipes and specific warning signs.

Typical timing: a baseline “as needed” approach

Many plumbing professionals recommend scheduling professional drain cleaning only when there’s evidence of buildup or performance issues. That can mean when drains start to run slower than usual, backups become more frequent, water gurgles in fixtures, or foul s ... Read more »

Gas water heaters rely on venting systems to safely remove combustion products. While both power vent and standard (atmospheric) vent models do this job, they use different technology—an important distinction for installation requirements, performance, and compatibility with common vent layouts.

How standard vent water heaters work

Standard vent gas water heaters typically use natural draft. As the burner heats the water, hot exhaust rises through a vertical chimney-style flue or a designated draft venting path. The system depends on pressure differences created by warm exhaust rising and cooler air outside moving in.

Because they rely on natural draft, standard vent heaters are usually best suited to installations with proper vertical venting and consistent airflow. If a home’s venting route is long, poorly aligned, or subject to downdrafts (for example, from nearby rooflines or strong wind), a sta ... Read more »

A bad smell coming from a sink, shower, or bathtub drain is more than a nuisance—it’s often a sign that something is stuck in the drain line or that sewer gas is escaping. In many homes, the odor can be traced to common causes such as organic buildup, grease, a clogged trap, or a dry plumbing “P-trap.”

Because the smell’s source can differ by fixture, the most effective fixes depend on where the odor appears and how quickly it returns after cleaning.

Common reasons drains smell bad

Food, hair, and soap scum buildup can accumulate inside the drain and clog the flow enough for waste to break down and release an unpleasant odor.

Grease and cooking oils are especially common in kitchen sinks. They can coat the inner pipe, trap other debris, and eventually cause persistent, lingering smells.

Dry or leaking P-traps—the curved pipe section under many sinks—can let sewer gas escape when the trap hasn’t been used. This can happen if you rarely use a bathroom or after a long vacation. Small leaks can also contribute.

Slow drains or partial clogs can trap foul-smelling water and create “stagnant” odor, even if there’s no total blockage.

How to fix the smell (safe, practical steps)

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Choosing between a gas and an electric water heater can significantly affect your monthly utility bills and long-term operating costs. Both technologies can provide reliable hot water, but their efficiency and costs depend heavily on local energy prices, system type, and household usage patterns.

For most homes, the comparison comes down to two questions: How efficiently does the unit convert energy into hot water, and what will you pay for that energy over time?

Upfront costs: what you pay first

Electric water heaters are typically less expensive to purchase and install because they don’t require venting or a gas line. Common electric options include standard tank models and heat-pump water heaters.

Gas water heaters can cost more initially due to installation requirements such as venting, gas supply work, and safety controls. However, many homes already have gas infrastructure, wh ... Read more »